From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Garden furniture, also called patio furniture, is a type of furniture specifically designed for outdoor use. It is typically made of weather resistant materials. The oldest surviving examples of garden furniture were found in the gardens of Pompeii.

Garden furniture is often sold as a patio set consisting of a table, four or six chairs and a parasol. Garden parasols are a specialist type of umbrella designed to provide shade from the sun. Parasols fit through a hole in the centre of the table and are secured in a base. Long chairs, referred to as chaise lounges, are also common items. Patio heaters, that run on bottled butane or propane, are often used to enable people to sit outside at night or in cold weather. A picnic table, is used for the purpose of eating a meal outdoors such as in a garden

The materials used to manufacture modern patio furniture include stones, metals, vinyl, plastics, glass, and treated woods.

Plastic garden furniture is naturally waterproof, so you can leave it out year-round. However, rain water will collect at the back of chairs and in nooks and crannies. As such, surprising amount of dirt can form.

Wooden garden furniture can suffer through exposure to the elements and therefore needs to be periodically treated, for example with varnish. Teak is a commonly used material for outdoor furniture. It naturally contains silica which makes it resistant to fungal decay, many of the effects of water (such as rot, swelling and warping) as well as chemicals. It is also resistant to fire, acid and alkalis.

Aluminium garden furniture is robust and long-lasting. Despite that, agents such as suntan lotions, perspiration and car exhausts can eat away at the powder coating that protects it. To make sure the furniture lasts, it should be cleaned every couple of weeks with a solution of mild washing up liquid and warm water and then rinsed well.

There is a difference between aluminium garden furniture and iron or steel garden furniture. Many times it can be confusing to tell the difference between these two types of furniture once the finish coat is applied. But you can find out by placing a magnet on top of the furniture – the magnet will stick to steel (iron) but fall off aluminium. But what's the difference, practically? Firstly, both iron and aluminium, as a material, have their own advantages. Although aluminium is cheaper than iron, you do need aluminium to be a little thicker than iron for it to have the same strength. Other than that, the difference comes with price and durability. Many people these days prefer aluminium furniture because of certain benefits.

• Garden design